Erua – Timber History and Trails

Around Erua, traces of the timber industry meet cycling and walking trails, as well as nature reserves. This makes the area interesting for travellers who want to combine their stay with history and outdoor experiences. There are different ways to explore: a short bike ride, a walk along a historic tramway network or trails to viewpoints.

Nature reserves and their features

Erua Recreation Reserve is a 4.0469-hectare historic reserve within the Town of Erua. It is administered by Ngāti Hāua. The nearby Ngātokoerua Scenic Reserve, formerly known as Erua Forest, is also home to significant populations of the endangered North Island brown kiwi and whio, also known as blue duck. The area also offers hunting for red deer, fallow deer, pigs and goats—two distinct aspects that define the character of this reserve.

Key access points to Ngātokoerua Scenic Reserve include Erua Road and Fishers Track behind Waimarino. If you are interested in the nature of this area, these names can help you find your way.

Local timber industry history

The Marton Sash and Door Company operated timber extraction and sawmills in Waimarino (National Park) and Erua from 1925 to 1957. The Makatote Tramway is also linked to the early years of the timber industry on New Zealand’s central North Island. This privately owned historic Category 2 site is on State Highway 4, about five kilometres south of Erua.

You can also encounter traces of this industrial history on the Marton Sash and Door Trail. Along the short, pleasant bike ride are the remains of timber bridges, a small wooden dam, pumice cuttings and railway irons. The Marton Sash & Door Company sawmill site contains further remnants: dismantling benches, engine blocks, a Dutch oven, a movable water tank, rails laid in the ground, a loading bench and a tank for treating timber with preservatives. These different relics bring the former timber industry to life in various ways.

Bike ride, Tramway Walk and viewpoints

The Marton Sash and Door Trail passes through Erua’s distinctive landscapes and, according to its description, is suitable for most age groups and fitness levels. If you prefer to explore on foot, you can take the Tramway Walk near Erua, which follows a historic tramway network for about four kilometres. With stops and commentary, the circuit takes around two hours. Highlights include a well-preserved log landing and the remains of an old timber bridge.

Another walking option is the Tupapakurua Falls Walk. The route passes through Erua Forest to Taranaki Lookout and then to a viewpoint overlooking Tupapakurua Falls. This gives you different options when choosing a day trip: historic tramways and relics on the one hand, or a trail to viewpoints on the other.

Makatote Viaduct can also be seen from roadside viewpoints on State Highway 4 between Pokaka and Erua, as well as from Makatote Scenic Reserve. If you are travelling by car, you can make these viewpoints a stop on your trip. Makatote Tramway and the viaduct represent different aspects of the history and landscape around Erua.

Erua as a place to search for your holiday apartment

When searching for a holiday apartment in Erua, consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: traces of the timber industry, a bike ride, Tramway Walk or the trail to Tupapakurua Falls. These options offer different starting points for planning your trip, without requiring every visitor to choose the same type of outing. You can assess Erua as a place to search by considering whether the topics described suit the kind of stay you want.

More places to explore: Ohakune, Raurimu, Kakahi, Retaruke, Taumarunui, Whakapapa Village, Matiere and Owhango.

For the wider travel overview: Ruapehu District.